Lead or Tungsten

[GORDO]

I was just curious how everyone feels about tungsten, does it REALLY make that much of a different of is it a confidence thing? 

[kylek]

I use both types.  I catch some fish with both.  If I got them for free, I would use tungsten all the time.  Too pricey for me to buy in bulk.

 

A long time ago the pros used to use lead weights and mono line only and still caught fish.

[Bass Turd]

In the rocky reservoir that I fish I believe the tungsten makes a bit of a louder noise when it is coming through the rocks. I would like to assume this draws fish from farther away but have no way to prove it. Do your own experiment though... take one of each into a swimming pool and listen to them underwater as you tap them on the side. The Tungsten has a "sharper" tone. I like that it is friendly to the environment too. I'll finish with this.... 

Ahhh grashappah.... you stand before the temple of fishing with two doors in front of you.... which do you choose...? No one can answer the question for you.. you must choose on your own.....

[GORDO]

I was just trying to spark a conversation about the 2 and which one was more applicable to the average angler. I havent used tungsten just because i have a hard time paying 8 bucks for 3 bullet weights when i cant plenty of fish on the regular led. I didnt even think about how the lead actually affects the water quality, good point! 

as for the sound, i just use a bead between my hook and bullet weight. 

catch plenty of fish*

[Catt]

I use lead up to 1/4 oz then I switch to tungsten

[GORDO]

3 minutes ago, Catt said:

I use lead up to 1/4 oz then I switch to tungsten

Is that because of the size of the weight at that point? 

[Catt]

38 minutes ago, GORDO said:

Is that because of the size of the weight at that point? 

Yelp! I see no advantage to tungsten at these weights!

[MassYak85]

Tungsten is definitely more sensitive, it's just a question of whether you think it's worth the price. And for some of us, lead is legally not an option. Massachusetts has banned lead under 1 oz, and alternatives like steel are massive in comparison at the same weight as tungsten.  

[corn-on-the-rob]

If they were the same price, most people would choose tungsten.

Even at an elevated price, using tungsten for heavier texas rigs and punching is unrivaled and borderline necessary.

One situation where using lead can be a huge advantage is if there are tight nooks and crannies in rocky areas where a larger sized weight won't get lodged as easy as a smaller piece of tungsten.

I use tungsten bullet weights starting at 1/2oz and above, any less gets lead.

[Mike L]

If I need a weight for any swimming type plastic I'll use lead. Anything that touches the bottom I use tungsten.

 

Mike 

[A-Jay]

2 hours ago, Catt said:

I use lead up to 1/4 oz then I switch to tungsten

 

42 minutes ago, Mike L said:

If I need a weight for any swimming type plastic I'll use lead. Anything that touches the bottom I use tungsten.

 

Mike 

These response cover how I also select my weight type.  

 Additionally, when presenting a bottom bait to a soft or grass bottom, I usually use small lead.   Hard bottom or penetrating cover - it's tungsten.

Tungsten is very hard - lead is soft - the extra sensitivity tungsten offers can be applied advantageously.  

The size to weight comparison between lead & tungsten is significant.  In most cases Tungsten is 40% smaller than the same weight in lead.

When combined with braided line, tungsten's size & sensitivity differential has helped improve many of my presentations especially deep & / or in heavy cover.

 A-Jay

[Evan K]

I like tungsten because it's more compact, for larger weights. I use a combination of both, mostly lead up to 3/8 oz or so.

Tungsten is really nice but man is it expensive!

[Airman4754]

Tungsten for punching, lead for everything else. 

[GORDO]

On 7/15/2016 at 2:17 PM, MassYak85 said:

Tungsten is definitely more sensitive, it's just a question of whether you think it's worth the price. And for some of us, lead is legally not an option. Massachusetts has banned lead under 1 oz, and alternatives like steel are massive in comparison at the same weight as tungsten.  

I would have never known that it was banned! 

 

On 7/15/2016 at 4:09 PM, A-Jay said:

 

These response cover how I also select my weight type.  

 Additionally, when presenting a bottom bait to a soft or grass bottom, I usually use small lead.   Hard bottom or penetrating cover - it's tungsten.

Tungsten is very hard - lead is soft - the extra sensitivity tungsten offers can be applied advantageously.  

The size to weight comparison between lead & tungsten is significant.  In most cases Tungsten is 40% smaller than the same weight in lead.

When combined with braided line, tungsten's size & sensitivity differential has helped improve many of my presentations especially deep & / or in heavy cover.

 A-Jay

this is why i started this thread, yall have some great experience and advice. 

[WRB]

There other alternatives tungsten bullet weights, none are smaller size.

I have been using painted brass weights for decades because the line slides through without drag, the nose end hole doesn't deform, makes a positive clicking sound using a glass bead.

When Tru-Tungsten came out with tungsten bullet weights about 10 years ago I tired them and experienced line cutting from sharp edges. Short time later the improved version came out with Teflon tubes inserted into the hole and it was difficult to insert the line through the smaller tubing hole, gave up and went back to brass & glass.

Today the quality is better and prices have come down. I do use tungsten bullet weights in sizes over 3/8 oz because of the smaller size and use wacky pea head jigs for the same reason in 1/8, 3/16 & 1/4 oz sizes.

Lead  hasn't been banded in California for fishing weights yet....lead for bullets, bird shot is band.

Tom

 

[Siebert Outdoors]

I melted all of my lead weights down a few years ago and switched only to tungsten.  I lose so few of them cost isn't an issue and I don't have to worry about the oxidizing in my tackle box or the nose smashing like Tom stated.

[GORDO]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

There other alternatives tungsten bullet weights, none are smaller size.

I have been using painted brass weights for decades because the line slides through without drag, the nose end hole doesn't deform, makes a positive clicking sound using a glass bead.

When Tru-Tungsten came out with tungsten bullet weights about 10 years ago I tired them and experienced line cutting from sharp edges. Short time later the improved version came out with Teflon tubes inserted into the hole and it was difficult to insert the line through the smaller tubing hole, gave up and went back to brass & glass.

Today the quality is better and prices have come down. I do use tungsten bullet weights in sizes over 3/8 oz because of the smaller size and use wacky pea head jigs for the same reason in 1/8, 3/16 & 1/4 oz sizes.

Lead  hasn't been banded in California for fishing weights yet....lead for bullets, bird shot is band.

Tom

 

Would you say brass is better than led in the terms of sensitivity? 

[WRB]

2 hours ago, GORDO said:

Would you say brass is better than led in the terms of sensitivity? 

Brass is as good or better then tungsten IMO. Brass about 50% larger comparing tungsten bullet weight size. Larger size not an issue with 1/8, 3/16 or 1/4 oz with T-rigged worms/creature. Brass (Top Brass) is a hard metal with very smooth hole that allows the line to slide without any friction. It's more about the friction or line drag that gives lead less feedback than the harder metals.

Haven't used lead bullet weights for over 25 years! 

Tom

[GORDO]

I have noticed there is a lot of friction on the line with lead, especially with heavier line. I will have to give brass a try. I'm also curious about the beads you use with the brass. Do you use a clear or painted bead. Glass or hard plastic? 

[Catt]

19 hours ago, WRB said:

 It's more about the friction or line drag that gives lead less feedback than the harder metals.

Haven't used lead bullet weights for over 25 years! 

Tom

What drag?

What friction?

Your weight & lure are together

[GORDO]

1 minute ago, Catt said:

What drag?

What friction?

Your weight & lure are together

when Im using led a lot of the time the hole at the head of the weight is deformed or almost closed, I have to open them manually. If i dont, using 15lb CXX line, the weight rubs the line the wrong way so to speak.

[WIGuide]

I'm pretty much use all tungsten these days. I do have a few exceptions, the first is very very small weights, the second is drop shot weights. With the small ones I don't mind lead, because it's primarily used as just weight to get a bait down. The reason I don't use them often on a dropshot, is because I seem to lose more ds weights than any other.   I like tungsten because I think due to the more compact size it gives you bait a more lifelike action. Also, because of the compact size they just go through cover better. They offer better sensitivity, are eco friendly, and don't get funky (oxidize) when sitting in a tackle box.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

[Mike L]

1 hour ago, GORDO said:

when Im using led a lot of the time the hole at the head of the weight is deformed or almost closed, I have to open them manually. If i dont, using 15lb CXX line, the weight rubs the line the wrong way so to speak.

When the holes are closed or deformed in any way I toss them. I don't trust that there may be a bur inside even tho I rounded out the hole on the outside  

 

Mike

[WRB]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

What drag?

What friction?

Your weight & lure are together

I don't peg the weight with a sliding T-rig, the weight slides down the line away from the lighter soft plastic as both fall down through the water column. When you start the retrieve the weight can be separate, the floating soft plastic a few inches away. If a bass strikes when the weight is separated the line moves freely improving strike detection. The weight and soft plastic are together when pulled pulled forward or with no slack line.

Tom

 

[Ryanrich11]

If your willing to spend the extra few bucks tungsten will create louder noise of cover and give you more feel of what's on the bottom.